Thanks, Anne! And yes, we will be starting soon. I just sent out an email, as we weren't getting any intentions on the intentions thread. As I figured no one knew about it, I thought I'd better wait a week before starting the new one. This way, newcomers can ask questions, post intentions, etc.

The date I put to start is August 3.

cj

What if we woke up tomorrow with only those things that we thanked God for today?

Eternal Father, bless our priests, protect them, keep them safe, console them in all their sufferings, strengthen them, fill them with your Holy Spirit , help your young priests to grow, and help your old and dying priests in their time of need. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen

But I say to you. love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Mt. 5:44

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Ps. 51:10

Dear Lord, Bless all your priests, brothers, and religious that have brought me closer to You. In a special way bless those that are dear to me, keep them safe from harm and illness. I ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Anne

Anne

At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. ~ Phil 2:10

Lord, a prayer for our Bishops, Cardinals, and Pope. Bless them with the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord, so that they may the best leaders that they can be. Amen.

Anne

Anne

At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. ~ Phil 2:10

Day 01 - done Day 02 - done Day 03 - done Day 04 - done Day 05 - forgot :( Day 06 - done (two, and asked my guardian angel to offer one of them in heaven for yesterday!) Day 07 - done Day 08 - done Day 09

What if we woke up tomorrow with only those things that we thanked God for today?

Eternal Father, I pray that you protect your priests, from the snares of the devil, and console them in affliction, and suffering, so they will be good shepherds for their flock.I pray in Jesus' name Amen

But I say to you. love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Mt. 5:44

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Ps. 51:10

I pray, that our priests may be fully aware of the miracle and the mystical things that happens during mass every day and that it may never become a routine for them but will always be the most important part of their day, and that it may give them strength , to fullfill their vocation. Amen

But I say to you. love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Mt. 5:44

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Ps. 51:10

Eternal Father, I pray that there will always be priests, that are holy , generous with their time and service to the Lord, and his church, never tiring, of trying to convert and bring back souls to the Lord. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen

I have been charting my novena for priests prayers on the pro life novena thread, like Anne, with my own prayers, to go long with, just like Anne. Astrid

Edited by: SA19741 at: 7/19/2011 (23:19)

But I say to you. love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Mt. 5:44

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Ps. 51:10

Hi there, Anne, Dee & CJ! I decided to start anew with you ladies... aren't prayers spoken with many and united voices deeply pleasing to our Father? :)

I realized, after I started out, that in my enthusiasm (and my need to be doing SOMETHING in the face of my distress and hightened awarenss of the need) I neglected the treasure in joining my voice with others... with the living saints around me. Thanks for joining me!

"Glorious Blessed Mother, beloved mother of the Eternal High Priest, thou served God with humility and confidence on earth. Now thou enjoys the Beatific Vision in Heaven. Thou persevered through life and gained the crown of eternal life. Remember now the confusion, anguish, and dangers that surround me. Intercede for me in my needs and troubles, most especially, for all priests, seminarians, monks and brothers."

"O Almighty Eternal God, Look upon the face of Thy Christ, and for the love of Him, Who is the Eternal High Priest, have pity on Thy priests. Remember, O most compassionate God, that they are but weak and frail human beings. Stir up in them the grace of their vocation which is in them by the imposition of the Bishop’s hands. Keep them close to Thee, lest the enemy prevail against them, so that they may never do anything in the slightest degree unworthy of their sublime vocation.

O Jesus, I pray to Thee, for Thy faithful and fervent priests; for Thy unfaithful and tepid priests; for Thy priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields; for Thy tempted priests, for Thy lonely and desolate priests; for Thy young priests; for Thy aged priests; for Thy sick priests; for Thy dying priests; for the souls of Thy priests in purgatory.

But above all, I commend to Thee the priests dearest to me: the priest who baptized me; the priests who absolved me from my sins; the priests at whose Masses I assisted and who gave me Thy Body and Blood in Holy Communion; the priests who taught and instructed me or helped and encouraged me; all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way, particularly [name a particular priest of your choosing here]. O Jesus, keep them all close to Thy heart, and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity." AMEN.

St. Michael, protect us! St. Jean Vianney, pray for us! St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us! St. Pio of Pietrelcina, pray for us! St. Dominic Savio, pray for us! St. Rita of Cascia, pray for us!

...And I'm saying this prayer before I go to bed (thanks, Anne!): "Heavenly Father, bless all your priests with integrity, love, and wisdom. Take all temptations away from them so that they may be good shepherds for your sheep. Open the ears, minds, and hearts of those You are calling to the holy life of priesthood, so that they may respond happily and willingly to Your Divine Will. Send Your Grace to all who call upon You, especially during times of need. This I ask through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is our best example of answering Your call, through Your Son, Jesus, my Lord and Savior, and through Your Holy Spirit. Amen."

P.S. I'll do the other Novena I found after this one! :)

Edited by: _RAMONA at: 7/23/2011 (04:56)

Dr. Jason Fung: "Holy consensus, Batman. With so many 'experts' from Michelle Obama to the USDA to virtually all of the medical professionals (including doctors and dieticians) agreeing that 'Eat Less, Move More' is the way to go, you might think that it is 100% unquestionably true. But here's a queer thought... if we all agree that we know the cure for obesity, and we've spent billions on educations and programs - why are we getting fatter? In other words, why does this 'cure' suck so bad?

Ooops! I messed up yesterday! I posted on the Pro-Life Novena page and prayed the "wrong" prayers--though no prayers are wrong. Therefore, I missed the beautiful aforementioned prayer. However, I did pray all 4 Mysteries for the priests with my own thoughts as I pondered each decade. Will follow this thread starting today.

Day 2!

Heavenly Father, bless all your priests with integrity, love, and wisdom. Take all temptations away from them so that they may be good shepherds for your sheep. Open the ears, minds, and hearts of those You are calling to the holy life of priesthood, so that they may respond happily and willingly to Your Divine Will. Send Your Grace to all who call upon You, especially during times of need. This I ask through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is our best example of answering Your call, through Your Son, Jesus, my Lord and Savior, and through Your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Anne

Edited by: ILUVTTV at: 7/16/2011 (06:29)

Anne

At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. ~ Phil 2:10

"Glorious Blessed Mother, beloved mother of the Eternal High Priest, thou served God with humility and confidence on earth. Now thou enjoys the Beatific Vision in Heaven. Thou persevered through life and gained the crown of eternal life. Remember now the confusion, anguish, and dangers that surround me. Intercede for me in my needs and troubles, most especially, for all priests, seminarians, monks and brothers."

"O Almighty Eternal God, Look upon the face of Thy Christ, and for the love of Him, Who is the Eternal High Priest, have pity on Thy priests. Remember, O most compassionate God, that they are but weak and frail human beings. Stir up in them the grace of their vocation which is in them by the imposition of the Bishop’s hands. Keep them close to Thee, lest the enemy prevail against them, so that they may never do anything in the slightest degree unworthy of their sublime vocation.

O Jesus, I pray to Thee, for Thy faithful and fervent priests; for Thy unfaithful and tepid priests; for Thy priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields; for Thy tempted priests, for Thy lonely and desolate priests; for Thy young priests; for Thy aged priests; for Thy sick priests; for Thy dying priests; for the souls of Thy priests in purgatory.

But above all, I commend to Thee the priests dearest to me: the priest who baptized me; the priests who absolved me from my sins; the priests at whose Masses I assisted and who gave me Thy Body and Blood in Holy Communion; the priests who taught and instructed me or helped and encouraged me; all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way, particularly [name a particular priest of your choosing here]. O Jesus, keep them all close to Thy heart, and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity." AMEN.

St. Michael, protect us! St. Jean Vianney, pray for us! St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us! St. Pio of Pietrelcina, pray for us! St. Dominic Savio, pray for us! St. Rita of Cascia, pray for us!

cj

Edited by: CJBAGGINS at: 7/15/2011 (17:36)

What if we woke up tomorrow with only those things that we thanked God for today?

"DAY 1: Divine Mercy Novena for Father Corapi and All Affected by This Chapter in His Life [I lift] up in love and prayer Father John Corapi and all affected by this chapter in his life. It is a very small chapter in a very large book that is filled with heroic love and self-sacrifice for the People of God, especially those in the womb. We pray for full restoration of all involved, and that this chapter be lost between all of the good that has come before, and all that is to follow. We pray for the restoration of Father’s good name. As we begin this novena for Father Corapi and all who are effected by the allegations made against him, we lift him up in prayer, and especially emplore the intercession of the Pope who ordained him, Blessed John Paul II. We ask God’s forgiveness and mercy for all of Father’s faults and failings that may impede the flow of grace into his heart. We ask that he be imbued with a charitable spirit of forgiveness for any false allegations that have been brought against him in the past, and a restoration of his good name and priestly ministry. Today bring to Me ALL MANKIND, ESPECIALLY ALL SINNERS, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me. Let us pray for John Corapi, as a man who is subject to the same weaknesses as all mankind due to the fall of our first parents, and for all who fall out of grace who are overcome by sin; that our trust in Jesus and his infinite mercy may raise us up to His splendor and a newness of life. Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen." gerardnadal.com/2011/06/22/divine-mercy-novena-for-father-corapi-and-all-eR>ffected-by-this-chapter-in-his-life/

"DAY 2: Today bring to Me THE SOULS OF PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS, and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind. Lord Jesus, we lift up to you Father John Corapi and all priests/religious who have been accused of sins, justly or unjustly, that involve a rupture of their sacred vows. We lift up the hearts and souls of the guilty in their great shame, and of the innocent in their bitter distress, and we ask for your mercy and healing on these your servants who have lavished your mercy and love on your people through the sacraments and through their special ministries. Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service,* that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard—upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen." gerardnadal.com/2011/06/23/divine-mercy-novena-for-father-corapi-and-thoseR>-in-need-of-related-healing-day-2/

"DAY 3: Today bring to Me ALL DEVOUT AND FAITHFUL SOULS, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me. Lord Jesus, we lift up Father Corapi to you, and all those devout souls whose faith has been shaken by this episode. We especially lift up those who may walk away from the bishops, from the Magisterium, and implore you healing love and mercy in their lives. Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this grace of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen." gerardnadal.com/2011/06/24/divine-mercy-novena-for-father-corapi-and-thoseR>-in-need-of-related-healing-day-3/

"DAY 4: Today bring to Me THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN GOD* AND THOSE WHO DO NOT YET KNOW ME. I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. Lord Jesus, we lift up to you Father Corapi and all who might come to know you through his ministry of preaching. We ask that you imbue Father with your Holy Spirit, to aid him in his hour of bitter sorrow and distress, and that this episode does not become a stumbling block for those whose faith is weak. Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in You, and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen." gerardnadal.com/2011/06/25/divine-mercy-novena-for-father-corapi-and-thoseR>-in-need-of-related-healing-day-4/

"DAY 5: Today bring to Me THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE SEPARATED THEMSELVES FROM MY CHURCH,* and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart, that is, My Church. As they return to unity with the Church, My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion. Lord Jesus, we lift up to you Father Corapi in this moment when he seeks to separate himself from his Religious Superiors, despairing of just treatment at their hands. We pray that this does not set him on the ruinous road of bitter rebellion against your Church and her shepherds. We pray for Father’s restoration in the fullness of his priestly office, and his continued ability to reach those who have separated themselves from You. Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of Your mercy. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Son’s Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces by obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in His Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen." gerardnadal.com/2011/06/26/divine-mercy-novena-for-father-corapi-and-thoseR>-in-need-of-related-healing-day-5/

"DAY 6: Today bring to Me THE MEEK AND HUMBLE SOULS AND THE SOULS OF LITTLE CHILDREN, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is capable of receiving My grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence. Let us pray for the gift of humility to pray for the poor sinner as they seek refuge in Christ’s Ocean of Mercy. In their humility may they find reconciliation and a renewed sense of mission to spread hope through Christ’s bountiful mercy. Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, “Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart.” Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father’s favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy. Amen." gerardnadal.com/2011/06/27/divine-mercy-novena-for-father-corapi-and-thoseR>-in-need-of-related-healing-day-6/

"DAY 7: Today bring to Me THE SOULS WHO ESPECIALLY VENERATE AND GLORIFY MY MERCY,* and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over my Passion and entered most deeply into My spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death. Let us pray for the penitent soul that through the mercy of God and through the Blood of the Lamb, has been reconciled to God. That by this gift of reconciliation may be an example of how merciful our loving God is and lead others to seek that same mercy. We pray too for Father Corapi who has brought so many to the mercy of Jesus. Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident of Your mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their hearts, overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God: Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death, the souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of His, He, Himself, will defend as His glory. Amen." gerardnadal.com/2011/06/28/divine-mercy-novena-for-father-corapi-and-thoseR>-in-need-of-related-healing-day-7/

"DAY 8: Today bring to Me THE SOULS WHO ARE DETAINED IN PURGATORY, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice. Lord Jesus, we take the pain of our doubts and confusion, of disappointment and despair in the case of Father Corapi and we offer them to you as a sacrifice for those who suffer their purgation. We pray for Father Corapi, that the souls he has touched and led back to you may bring for him pardon for many of his own past sins. We ask too that through your perfect plan Father be restored to the fullness of his priestly ministry and continue to bring sinners home to you. Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen." gerardnadal.com/2011/06/29/divine-mercy-novena-for-father-corapi-and-thoseR>-in-need-of-related-healing-day-8/

"DAY 9: Today bring to Me SOULS WHO HAVE BECOME LUKEWARM,* and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: ‘Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.’ For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy. On this final day of the Novena for Father Corapi, let us pray for Father Corapi and those who have failed him in charity. Let us pray for those in authority who may be indifferent to his suffering, and for Father to the extent that he has abandoned the fight prematurely. Finally, let us pray for all of those lukewarm souls who know neither the fire of love for God, nor the icy cold of rebellion, but who are merely lukewarm and indifferent. Most compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love, let these tepid souls, who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen." gerardnadal.com/2011/06/30/divine-mercy-novena-for-father-corapi-and-thoseR>-in-need-of-related-healing-day-9/

Praying always...

Dr. Jason Fung: "Holy consensus, Batman. With so many 'experts' from Michelle Obama to the USDA to virtually all of the medical professionals (including doctors and dieticians) agreeing that 'Eat Less, Move More' is the way to go, you might think that it is 100% unquestionably true. But here's a queer thought... if we all agree that we know the cure for obesity, and we've spent billions on educations and programs - why are we getting fatter? In other words, why does this 'cure' suck so bad?

"Glorious Blessed Mother, beloved mother of the Eternal High Priest, thou served God with humility and confidence on earth. Now thou enjoys the Beatific Vision in Heaven. Thou persevered through life and gained the crown of eternal life. Remember now the confusion, anguish, and dangers that surround me. Intercede for me in my needs and troubles, most especially, for all priests, seminarians, monks and brothers."

"O Almighty Eternal God, Look upon the face of Thy Christ, and for the love of Him, Who is the Eternal High Priest, have pity on Thy priests. Remember, O most compassionate God, that they are but weak and frail human beings. Stir up in them the grace of their vocation which is in them by the imposition of the Bishop’s hands. Keep them close to Thee, lest the enemy prevail against them, so that they may never do anything in the slightest degree unworthy of their sublime vocation.

O Jesus, I pray to Thee, for Thy faithful and fervent priests; for Thy unfaithful and tepid priests; for Thy priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields; for Thy tempted priests, for Thy lonely and desolate priests; for Thy young priests; for Thy aged priests; for Thy sick priests; for Thy dying priests; for the souls of Thy priests in purgatory.

But above all, I commend to Thee the priests dearest to me: the priest who baptized me; the priests who absolved me from my sins; the priests at whose Masses I assisted and who gave me Thy Body and Blood in Holy Communion; the priests who taught and instructed me or helped and encouraged me; all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way, particularly [name a particular priest of your choosing here]. O Jesus, keep them all close to Thy heart, and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity." AMEN.

St. Michael, protect us! St. Jean Vianney, pray for us! St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us! St. Pio of Pietrelcina, pray for us! St. Dominic Savio, pray for us! St. Rita of Cascia, pray for us!

cj

What if we woke up tomorrow with only those things that we thanked God for today?

I have a Polish grandmother, too, Dee, (and polish great-grandmother) and she did look a lot like that, lol! I've always really loved that picture for that very reason. We have a sculpture here that is even more so... it's three women stopped for lunch - one is breast-feeding a baby, the scythes are resting at their feet, and their beautiful faces glisten with sweat and sun. Thanks for sharing that with me!

{{{{{{{{{{ HUGS }}}}}}}}}} Ramona

Dr. Jason Fung: "Holy consensus, Batman. With so many 'experts' from Michelle Obama to the USDA to virtually all of the medical professionals (including doctors and dieticians) agreeing that 'Eat Less, Move More' is the way to go, you might think that it is 100% unquestionably true. But here's a queer thought... if we all agree that we know the cure for obesity, and we've spent billions on educations and programs - why are we getting fatter? In other words, why does this 'cure' suck so bad?

Thanks, Dee & CJ. He was a very special man to so many, and will be missed. I am glad that his suffering is over (he has been in very poor health for about four years now) and I rise to the challenge of honouring his memory with my own faith and life.

...he was a wonderful priest with really close ties to his own family... he still went hunting several times a year with his brothers, he was an involved and active uncle (he talked about his nieces and nephews like they were his own and he worried and prayed for them like we do for our children), he was the oldest of 7 and his mother's right hand man growing up... he had a deep empathy for moms, he could change diapers with the best of them... and did, lol, and his parents had an obvioulsy faithful and deeply loving marriage (as did his siblings)... he was a Canon lawyer (he also has several brothers who are lawyers who do amazing work with and for refugees and anyone marginalized or persecuted), our Diocesan Chancellor, the head of the Marriage Tribunal and SO much more.

COMMENT: Do we really need our garage-sale profits? (scroll down on the left to find the link... I can't link to it directly) pm.stpeterscollege.ca/

Edited by: _RAMONA at: 6/29/2011 (20:57)

Dr. Jason Fung: "Holy consensus, Batman. With so many 'experts' from Michelle Obama to the USDA to virtually all of the medical professionals (including doctors and dieticians) agreeing that 'Eat Less, Move More' is the way to go, you might think that it is 100% unquestionably true. But here's a queer thought... if we all agree that we know the cure for obesity, and we've spent billions on educations and programs - why are we getting fatter? In other words, why does this 'cure' suck so bad?

Ramona - I am so sorry for your loss, and the loss to the Church Militant. I join you in prayer that the prayers of this priest will join those of the angels and saints in heaven for the good of the Universal Church and his sheep here on earth.

I enjoyed reading your tribute to this priest, and I choked up as I read. Beautiful, my dear. Thank you for sharing that with us.

cj

What if we woke up tomorrow with only those things that we thanked God for today?

I now especially pray for my dear Fr. Paul... God's faithful and fervent priest gone home today... a priest who inspired in me a love for the Church I never thought possible, a man who taught me compassion, faithfulness in times of great distress and doubt, joy in the Lord, discernment, the fullness of Agape, the fullness of my faith, to be not afraid... to trust God and the Church... and so much more... and only occasionally did he resort to words.

He is a man who suffered his infirmities and iniquities with grace and good humour. He is man who lived his vocation with integrity, joyousness, and quiet fidelity. In many ways he was more 'father' to me than the one who raised me. If I have any chance at Heaven, it will be because of this man, this priest.

I will miss his... ...bad haircuts, his always slightly worn pants, and ratty sweaters... because they reminded me that many things mattered more than appearances... he was a very important man who went largely unrecognised in a crowd... yet rooms went silent when he spoke none-the-less. ...generosity... I personally witnessed him handing over his own credit card to purchase things for our parish that we couldn't 'afford' but that would feed the flock... because he showed me what a shepherd looks like. ...waves and smiles to the babies carrying on in the congregation, and his impromptu words of encouragement to the parents of the noisy souls... because he reminded us all that people were more important than piety, and that a joyful noise unto the Lord was never misplaced. ...quiet leadership... his way of preaching the uncompromising truth without discouraging sinners... because he showed me by his example how to love the sinner without enabling sin... and my heart learned peace. ...ability to make the Gospel pertinent to every moment of my day... because I learned to give every moment of my day over to my faith. "Peek-A-Boo! I See You!" www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=1048596...canonical knowledge shared so freely in ways anyone can understand... because I learned to allow the Church to parent me... I learned my rebeliousness was futile in the face of the love of Christ and His Church.

Did I say that I will miss him SO very much?

Peace be with you, Papa Paul.

"O Almighty Eternal God, I look upon the face of Thy Christ, and for the love of Him, Who is the Eternal High Priest, I ask your mercy on your faithful and humble servant, Paul. Only you know his heart, Father, yet for me he was a faithful and fervent priest. I commend him to your care... the priest who absolved me from my sins; the priest who gave me Thy Body and Blood in Holy Communion; the priest who taught and instructed me and helped and encouraged me; the priest who patiently loved our family through a painful annulment process, the priest who baptized my daughter; the priest to whom I am indebted in every way... my spiritual father. He has your eyes, Father. O Jesus, keep him close to Thy heart, and bless him abundantly in eternity." AMEN.

Edited by: _RAMONA at: 6/28/2011 (01:44)

Dr. Jason Fung: "Holy consensus, Batman. With so many 'experts' from Michelle Obama to the USDA to virtually all of the medical professionals (including doctors and dieticians) agreeing that 'Eat Less, Move More' is the way to go, you might think that it is 100% unquestionably true. But here's a queer thought... if we all agree that we know the cure for obesity, and we've spent billions on educations and programs - why are we getting fatter? In other words, why does this 'cure' suck so bad?

...and I felt inspired. Even though I'm praying in general, I feel called to be more specific and focused (I've never actually prayed a 'novena' before). While this isn't a rosary, and I imagine many are already praying those for our priests, I'm going to do this, and I'm going to pray between the hours of noon and 3 pm (in honour of Jesus' time on the cross), starting tomorrow - June 26th to July 4th.

At the end of the nine days, I would really love to hear from anyone joining me how this exercise in faith changed you, or impacted on your own faith journey, or life.

Any takers? See you back here in nine days!

Pax Christi, Ramona

The Novena:

"Glorious Blessed Mother, beloved mother of the Eternal High Priest, thou served God with humility and confidence on earth. Now thou enjoys the Beatific Vision in Heaven. Thou persevered through life and gained the crown of eternal life. Remember now the confusion, anguish, and dangers that surround me. Intercede for me in my needs and troubles, most especially, for all priests, seminarians, monks and brothers."

"O Almighty Eternal God, Look upon the face of Thy Christ, and for the love of Him, Who is the Eternal High Priest, have pity on Thy priests. Remember, O most compassionate God, that they are but weak and frail human beings. Stir up in them the grace of their vocation which is in them by the imposition of the Bishop’s hands. Keep them close to Thee, lest the enemy prevail against them, so that they may never do anything in the slightest degree unworthy of their sublime vocation.

O Jesus, I pray to Thee, for Thy faithful and fervent priests; for Thy unfaithful and tepid priests; for Thy priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields; for Thy tempted priests, for Thy lonely and desolate priests; for Thy young priests; for Thy aged priests; for Thy sick priests; for Thy dying priests; for the souls of Thy priests in purgatory.

But above all, I commend to Thee the priests dearest to me: the priest who baptized me; the priests who absolved me from my sins; the priests at whose Masses I assisted and who gave me Thy Body and Blood in Holy Communion; the priests who taught and instructed me or helped and encouraged me; all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way, particularly [name a particular priest of your choosing here]. O Jesus, keep them all close to Thy heart, and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity." AMEN.

St. Michael, protect us! St. Jean Vianney, pray for us! St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us! St. Pio of Pietrelcina, pray for us! St. Dominic Savio, pray for us! St. Rita of Cascia, pray for us!

Dr. Jason Fung: "Holy consensus, Batman. With so many 'experts' from Michelle Obama to the USDA to virtually all of the medical professionals (including doctors and dieticians) agreeing that 'Eat Less, Move More' is the way to go, you might think that it is 100% unquestionably true. But here's a queer thought... if we all agree that we know the cure for obesity, and we've spent billions on educations and programs - why are we getting fatter? In other words, why does this 'cure' suck so bad?

SparkPeople, SparkCoach, SparkPages, SparkPoints, SparkDiet, SparkAmerica, SparkRecipes, DailySpark, and other marks are trademarks of SparkPeople, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this website can be used without the permission of SparkPeople or its authorized affiliates.
SPARKPEOPLE is a registered trademark of SparkPeople, Inc. in the United States, European Union, Canada, and Australia. All rights reserved.

NOTE: Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy last updated on October 25, 2013